15mm Nikkor-QD.C Auto f/5.6 ultra-wide angle lens on Nikon D850

crycocyon

Senior Member
Very happy to have received this lens yesterday in the mail. The Nikkor QD.C auto 15mm f5.6 (AI version). The three internal filters are so fun to try, especially the dark red (R60) which makes everything look like an emergency (dark with red lights on). :D

Specifications from mir.com:

Focal length: 15mm
Maximum aperture: 1:5.6
Lens construction: 14 elements in 12 groups
Picture angle: 110° at infinity
Distance scale: Graduated both in meters and feet up to 0.3m and 1 ft
Aperture scale: f/5.6 - f/22
Aperture diaphragm: Fully automatic

Attachment size: - Filter: Built-in - yellow (Y48), orange (O56), red (R60), plain glass (N)
Hood: Built-in; Dimensions: 92mm dia. X 88.5mm length (3-5/8 in. X 3-15/32 in.)
Weight: 700g (24.7 oz); Accessories: CL-26 lens case


The build quality is just amazing and it's in mint condition. Apparently only around 1000 of these were produced. It's such a crazy lens and looks like some giant cyclops eye. The way that light sources play around the elements is just mesmerizing. So why this lens? Well I researched many other options (even the Sigma 14mm f1.8 Art) and this one just had a quality to the sample images appealed to me and it's really incredible how little distortion there is (ie: none). It's so surprising to see such a wide angle and straight lines no matter how I tilt the lens.

Well onto the photos :eek:

First with the very cool looking metal front cap on...

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And a couple of photos just of the lens...

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And on the D850
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crycocyon

Senior Member
Spent some time today testing out the Nikon 15mm f5.6 on the Nikon D850 :eek:
This lens is so much fun, although one really has to change their perspective in their mind to be able to look for subjects vast enough to make the most of the 110 degree angle of view. I decided to focus mostly on architecture with a bit of street photography thrown in the mix. I think you will agree that it has amazing control of distortion. All in all I think it works surprisingly well with a modern high resolution DSLR given that it is from the mid-70s.

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It was amazing how that it didn't matter how tall a building was, I could easily fit all of it in frame.

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Something more abstract...

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Some street stuff...

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And finally some more natural examples...
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Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Nice shots. You have a few that could be entered in this weeks challenge - either "vanishing point" or "B/W repeating patterns". Challenge ends tomorrow.
 
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